Anti-drip device

ABSTRACT

This invention pertains to a device which prevents objectionable dripping of liquid such as coffee from the bottom of a cup which when lifted from a saucer carries with it a portion of such liquid which may have been inadvertently spilled into the saucer when the cup is filled or carried to a place of service. The device consists of a disk-like member which is devoid of peripheral walls and which has apertures therein through which liquid may drain into the saucer and has ribs on a surface thereof that engage the bottom of the cup (or the bottom of the saucer) to hold the bottom of the cup spaced from the spilled liquid. The disk-like member is devoid of any peripheral flange thus facilitating cleaning thereof in use with cups and saucers of varying sizes. In one form of the invention two similar disklike members may be secured in back-to-back relationship with registering apertures, so that ribs on the lower side hold the member spaced from the bottom of the saucer and ribs on the other side hold the bottom of the cup spaced above the spilled liquid.

United States Patent [1 1 Gray [4 1 Oct. 2, 1973 1 1 ANTI-DRIP DEVICE [76] Inventor: Ralph B. Gray, 1525 Alegriano Ave, Coral Gables, Fla. 33146 [22] Filed: Mar. 30, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 129,528

[52] U.S. Cl 215/1005, 220/2383, 248/346.1 [51] Int. Cl. 865d 23/06 [58] Field of Search 220/2383 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,268,198 8/1966 Swett Primary Examiner-George F. Lowrance Assistant Examiner-Stephen Marcus Altorney-Hill, Sherman, Meroni, Gross & Simpson [57] ABSTRACT This invention pertains to a device which prevents objectionable dripping of liquid such as coffee from the bottom ofa cup which when lifted from a saucer carries with it a portion of such liquid which may have been inadvertently spilled into the saucer when the cup is filled or carried to a place of service. The device consists of a disk-like member which is devoid of peripheral walls and which has apertures therein through which liquid may drain into the saucer and has ribs on a surface thereof that engage the bottom of the cup (or the bottom of the saucer) to hold the bottom of the cup spaced from the spilled liquid. The disk-like member is devoid of any peripheral flange thus facilitating cleaning 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUEI 21m 3L f62.591

I N VEN'TOR.

3040/; 5 G "Qy BY ATTORNEYS ANTI-DRIP DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The anti-drip device of this invention is designed to provide an inexpensive article which readily may be molded of thermosetting plastic and which will effectively prevent the transfer of spilled liquid from the bottom of a saucer to the bottom of a cup lifted therefrom.

The device consists of a flat apertured disk having integral projecting radial ribs and a surface thereof which may either engage the bottom of the saucer or the bottom of the cup to support the bottom of the cup above the spilled liquid. Since the disk is devoid of peripheral walls it may seat either in a saucer depression or on the bottom of the saucer above such depression and is thus adaptable for use with various sizes of saucers and cups. The absence of peripheral walls also facilitates easy cleaning. Where additional spacing is required, the disk may be secured in back-to-back relationship with the apertures thereof in register thus increasing the height at which the bottom of the cup is held above the spilled liquid. This arrangement also makes it possible to use disks of different color in a simple anti-drip device, thus enhancing the appearance thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view showing a form of the device of this invention in use to space the bottom of a cup above the bottom of a saucer. In this view the section through the device is taken through line 1-1 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a device embodying the principles of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a device embodying the principles of this invention; and

FIG. 4 is an edge view of a device embodying the principles of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The reference numeral 1 designates a cup which is adapted to be used in connection with a saucer 2, both being made of any desired material. In the form shown, the cup is provided with a downwardly projecting bottom flange 1a which normally rests in a depression 2a formed in the bottom of the saucer. It is to be understood, of course, that the device of this invention is useful in achieving its desired purpose regardless of whether either the cup or saucer, or both, have such flange or such depression. In the form of the invention shown in FIG. 1, the anti-drip device comprises two molded plastic disks 3 secured in back-to-back relationship and having a plurality of apertures 4 therein which permit fluid to drain therethrough into the bottom of the saucer, as, for example, into the depression 2a. If desired, these disks may be provided with a central aperture 4a shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 2 and 3. These disks 3 are made of molded thermosetting plastic, such, for example, as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, or other suitable molded plastic material not affected by the heat of the cup or of liquid spilled from the cup into the saucer. Integral with one face of each of the disks 3 and formed during the molding thereof are a plurality of ribs or ridges 5 which project from the surface thereof to afford a spaced support for the bottom of the cup 1 or a spaced support between the disklike members 3 and the bottom of the saucer 2. The disks 3 are of such diameter that they ordinarily rest on the bottom of the saucer above the depression 2a therein as shown in FIG. 1. However, in the event that the depression is of greater diameter, these disks may be positioned within the depression 2a and at the same time hold the bottom of the cup spaced from any spilled liquid in the bottom of the saucer. This is particularly true when the disks are used in secured back-toback relationship, as shown in FIG. 1. Another advantage of using the double disks secured together in backto-back relationship is that they may be made of different color, thus having a disk of desired color uppermost within the saucer.

I have found that by making the disks of a diameter of approximately 2% inches they are suitable for use with a wide range of sizes of cups and saucers in achieving the desired purpose of preventing adherence of spilled liquid in the saucer to the bottom of the cup and the consequent dripping thereof as the cup is lifted. I have also found that the disks may be used either with the ribbed side downwardly or upwardly and are equally effective when used in either way.

By making the disks devoid of peripheral walls, easy cleaning is assured and furthermore the use thereof in connection with cup bottoms of widely varying diameters is made'possible. The ribs or ridges also serve to scrape spilled fluid from the bottom of the cup when it is moved laterally or rotated when lifted.

It is, of course, understood that the description above set forth is by way of example. Various dimensions and various materials may be used in the making of the improved anti-drip device of this invention. It is, there fore, not purposed to limit the scope hereof otherwise than indicated by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An anti-drip device for use in a saucer for preventing transfer of spilled liquid in the bottom of the saucer to the bottom of a cup used therewith, comprising an apertured flat circular disk devoid of peripheral walls, and a plurality of radial squeegee ribs formed on at least one surface of said disk and terminating inwardly of the periphery thereof to hold the bottom of a cup spaced above spilled liquid in the bottom of the saucer, to squeegee spilled liquid from the bottom of the cup and to permit of such spilled liquid to run to the bottom of the saucer through the apertures in said disk,

wherein the radial ribs extend from the center of the disk, an aperture is provided in the center of the disk and a plurality of apertures are equally spaced about said disk between said ribs,

and wherein two disks are secured in back-to-back relationship with the ribs projecting outwardly from the surfaces thereof and with the apertures thereof in register. 

1. An anti-drip device for use in a saucer for preventing transfer of spilled liquid in the bottom of the saucer to the bottom of a cup used therewith, comprising an apertured flat circular disk devoid of peripheral walls, and a plurality of radial squeegee ribs formed on at least one surface of said disk and terminating inwardly of the periphery thereof to hold the bottom of a cup spaced above spilled liquid in the bottom of the saucer, to squeegee spilled liquid from the bottom of the cup and to permit of such spilled liquid to run to the bottom of the saucer through the apertures in said disk, wherein the radial ribs extend from the center of the disk, an aperture is provided in the center of the disk and a plurality of apertures are equally spaced about said disk between said ribs, and wherein two disks are secured in back-to-back relationship with the ribs projecting outwardly from the surfaces thereof and with the apertures thereof in register. 